ISRAEL: JERUSALEM: RECORD NUMBER OF TOURISTS FOR CHRISTMAS--LOCAL CHRISTIANS PREPARE TRADITIONAL DECORATIONS--MAYOR KOLLECK HOLDS MULTI DENOMINATIONAL RECEPTION.

Record ID: 399586

  • Title: ISRAEL: JERUSALEM: RECORD NUMBER OF TOURISTS FOR CHRISTMAS--LOCAL CHRISTIANS PREPARE TRADITIONAL DECORATIONS--MAYOR KOLLECK HOLDS MULTI DENOMINATIONAL RECEPTION.
  • Date: 23rd December 1971
  • Summary: 1. GV & CU Lod Airport with sign 0.06 2. SV Tourists out of aircraft and into bus. 0.13 3. SV Tourists in streets of Jerusalem. 0.19 4. SV & CU Shop with Christmas decorations and lights 0.26 5. LV & CU Tourists at Church of Holy Sepulchre (3 shots) 0.37 6. SV & CU Tourists off bus with sign "Bible Land Tourist Bureau" 0.45 7.
  • Embargoed: 7th January 1972 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: JERUSALEM
  • City:
  • Country: Israel
  • Reuters ID: LVA5QB0CQJ06D9H1BIPZ3N1HIM5G
  • Story Text: Jerusalem is expecting a record number of tourists this Christmas.

    Before the influx began this week, travel offices reported 35-thousand advance bookings.

    In an effort to cater for the tourists, dozens of guided tours of the Holy Places are being offered, and souvenir and refreshment shops have opened near the main shrines.

    Local Christians have been out buying Christmas trees--and, like their counterparts the world over, the decorating of the tree became a family affair.

    Jerusalem's Mayor, Mr. Teddy Kolleck has held his annual reception which marks not only the Christian festival--but also the Moslem Id-el-Fitr and the Jewish Chanukkah (Feast of Lights).

    The reception was attended by representatives of many religious groups--and by members of the Israeli Knesset.

    SYNOPSIS: Lod Airport in Israel--and the beginning of the annual tourist influx for Christmas. But this year the number of tourists is expected to be a record--with travel offices reporting 35-thousand advance bookings. The Holy City--once reached by Christian pilgrims only after months of travel--is now only hours by air from most of the world's capital cities.

    Brightly lit souvenir and refreshment shops have opened near the main shrines--to cater for the tourists. They come to see places like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre--which stands over the hill of Golgotha.

    The tourists come on one of dozens of coach tours which daily make their way from one Holy Place to another.

    For the more adventurous--camel riding is also offered.

    But most tourists are content to simply walk around the places revels by Christians and Moslems the world over.

    The traditional trappings of Christmas are available in Jerusalem too.

    And for both tourists and residents the decorating of the tree becomes a family affair.

    An annual Christmas event in Jerusalem is the reception held by Jerusalem's Mayor, Mr. Toddy Kolleck. Attending this year--as always-- representatives of many religions, as well as members of the Israeli Parliament. Each guest was welcomed at the door by the Mayor and his wife. The reception is to work not only the Christian festival--but also the Moslem Id-el-Fitr, and the Jewish Feast of Lights.
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